Don't Miss This Iconic Stephen King Film Before the Series' Upcoming Installment
HBO's It: Welcome to Derry contains numerous nods to the author's wide-ranging library of stories. Apart from the clear ties to It, the show showcases an explicit link to The Shining via the cameo of the youthful Dick Hallorann. Now, as the story unfolds, It: Welcome to Derry is weaving in one more classic King story which merits a revisit.
The Haunting Tale of The Shawshank Redemption
Although Shawshank Redemption isn't typically considered horror, especially in contrast with much of King's other work, it is a gripping story of a innocently imprisoned man condemned to live the rest of his life in a infamous prison. It is this specific penitentiary that becomes important in this context, as the Shawshank facility holds significant history throughout King's stories — a tradition that continues within It: Welcome to Derry.
Some of the stories that reference Shawshank include Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Apt Pupil, 11/22/63, and It. Through these narratives, we discover regarding the terrible conditions at Shawshank State Prison and several of the inmates there, including the partner of a of Pennywise's initial victims, who was convicted for robbery with a weapon.
So far, though, the majority we've learned concerning Shawshank was through the perspective of Andy Dufresne from Shawshank Redemption, portrayed by Tim Robbins in that 1994 movie. Andy winds up at the prison following his wrongful conviction, and finds himself assaulted and raped by fellow inmates, while taken advantage of by those in officials in power due to his expertise in finance. It takes him 28 years to dig an escape route from Shawshank, before making his way "through a river of shit" to take back his freedom.
The Prison's Appearance in It: Welcome to Derry
In relation to the series, audiences first learned about the prison's inclusion from an initial preview for the show, where a prison bus was seen bearing the title displayed on its side. During the second episode, it is revealed which character is likely destined for the prison.
Though it is known he was not responsible for the child deaths in the first episode, Hank Grogan (played by Stephen Rider), father of Ronnie (Amanda Christine), gets taken into custody for the crimes. The preview for the next episode, "Now You See It," reveals a guard informing a jailed Hank, "Do you know what they do to kiddie killers at that prison?"
The Implications for the Character and Ronnie
Given that the real murderer in Derry is an ancient power originating elsewhere preying on and murdering kids, Hank's chances of clearing his name appear slim. Even should he does go in the prison and the audience do not see him there, knowing what we do regarding Shawshank indicates that his time there would not be pleasant.
Crucially, though, this development would endanger Ronnie. He acts as her protector. Terrible events are happening around Derry that nobody, young or old, understands and Ronnie just has her recently formed of friends to rely on. She will require her father as the story progresses, but if the prison system plays a role, she could be out of luck.
A single fact seems clear: Hank lacks three decades to dig his way out.
Welcome to Derry episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now via the streaming service. New episodes air weekly on Sundays.
